How can I boost the WiFi range of this device?

Forums › LAN (ethernet/Wifi/routers/Bluetooth) › How can I boost the WiFi range of this device?

Maelstrom

68 posts

Master Geek
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#113066 4-Jan-2013 09:29

Hi all,

I want to purchase one of these:

http://www.tp-link.com/en/products/details/?model=TL-MR3020

...but as you can see, it does not have an external antenna.

It's my desire to give this the gruntiest WiFi coverage possible. Could anyone recommend an approach as to what the best way to do this might be? Given the lack of external antenna, would I need a wireless repeater?

If it makes any difference, I am not aiming to use this in 3g mode.

Many thanks in advance!

johnr

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#740052 4-Jan-2013 09:30

Check out the Draytek web site but this question has been asked so many times on Geekzone quite a few threads on this subject

Maelstrom

68 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 3

#740060 4-Jan-2013 09:39

Thank you very much for the reply! Apologies if this is an oft-asked question. I searched for 'MR3020' and didn't find anything relating to this particular device (given that most WiFi routers have an external antenna, I thought this might be a special case).

I will check out Draytek. If there are any other threads you could direct me to, I'd be happy to check them out. Again, thank you for the reply!

theEd

341 posts

Ultimate Geek
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#740068 4-Jan-2013 09:56

What are the reasons for choosing that particular device? Is it form factor, the ability for it to be USB powered, or something else? Maybe we can find something else gruntier out of the box that'll suit your needs.

Maelstrom

68 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 3

#740072 4-Jan-2013 10:00

Hello! Thanks for the reply. The reason I wanted to use this device is essentially to provide a wireless-capable 'drop-box' that I can install some firmware on (a web server) and attach a USB-powered storage device to.

Would you have any other suggestions? Thanks!

Maelstrom

68 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 3

#740091 4-Jan-2013 11:12

In the meantime, it seems from the DrayTek site that this is the most appropriate item:

https://www.snappernet.co.nz/product/dap700

Seem right?

theEd

341 posts

Ultimate Geek
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#740099 4-Jan-2013 11:36

If you were wanting to put a web server on the router/AP itself, you'd need to use something WRT based so you have root access. The DAP700 has its own non-WRT firmware.

Personally I'd probably use a Ubiquiti AirRouter-HP. They have an external antenna, USB port, and can be flashed with OpenWRT or DD-WRT (this doesn't void the product warranty, but we don't provide any support with getting custom firmware working).

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sbiddle

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#740102 4-Jan-2013 11:39

You're not going to be able to do a lot to improve the performance of a device such as that.

My suggestion would be to find a more appropiate product that suits your needs.

Maelstrom

68 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 3

#740104 4-Jan-2013 11:43

Thanks for the replies everyone.

To elaborate, the form factor plus the low price point are factors in the selection of that particular device (because I am looking at a number of them).

I'm taking a look at http://www.gowifi.co.nz/specs/AirRouter_Datasheet.pdf as per the recommendation above. It's more expensive, obviously, but would certainly have more WiFi power (and more opportunity to attach a high-powered antenna).

Providing I can run custom firmware on it, it would likely be the way to go...

kiwigeek1

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#740156 4-Jan-2013 14:07

you might find better on DX.com

search on wifi extender and portable wifi

that have many similar units for a fraction of the price with 3g/4g usb etc

also
for a weak chinese wifi tablet I found using the GNODE wifi drive ($99 to 150usd) could act like a access point (only wireless g though)
place right next to tablet it could use it better antenna/and firmware inside casing to connect to house wifi

so maybe a combination of things might work liek that
connect gnode drive to a portable 3g/etc further away

linw

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#740200 4-Jan-2013 17:29

And don't forget that wifi power at the AP is only one factor. Your receiving wifi devices have to have the power to talk back as well.